49ers sign ILB Skuta to two-year contract

The 49ers signed former Bengals inside linebacker Dan Skuta to a two-year contract, the team announced tonight.

Dan Skuta. (AP)

Skuta, 26, has started four games in his four-year career while carving out his primary role as a special-teams standout. He tied for third in the NFL last year with 15 special-teams tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.

Skuta (6-2, 250) will presumably fill the role of either Larry Grant or Tavares Gooden, inside linebackers who are free agents.

“He is an established special teams player and versatile linebacker who fits our system very well,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said.

An undrafted free agent from Division II Grand Valley State, Skuta, who began his career on the practice squad, fits the blue-collar profile of former 49ers special teams star Blake Costanzo.

Without Costanzo, who signed with the Bears last season, the 49ers suffered in their kickoff-return coverage. They ranked 31st in the NFL (26.0 yards) in the regular season and allowed a 108-yard touchdown to Baltimore’s Jacoby Jones in the Super Bowl. They ranked 13th in kickoff-return coverage (23.1) in 2011.

They did, however, rank fourth in punt return average (6.9) in 2012 after they were 11th (8.1) in 2011.

In college, Skuta helped lead Grand Valley State to a four-year record of 51-2 and two national titles. His 33.5 sacks ranked third in Division II history when he graduated in 2008.